TOKUSHIMA (FIBA Asia Championship) - Syria burnt the candle from both ends early in the encounter and went down to the wait-and-watch policy of Chinese Taipei, 99-60, in Group 'D' on Friday.

The result left Taipei on top of the preliminary groupings alongside Korea, who elsewhere were at their clinical best in disposing off Hong Kong challenge 107-67.

Syria, who managed to nudge ahead early in the encounter, thanks to Micheal Madanly's efforts, were dealt a blow when Ahmad Hekmat Hadad had to be carried off the court suffering a freak calf injury. That was with Syria 21-19 ahead and 7:58 left on the clock in the second quarter.

Seizing the opportunity, Taipei began to work out some attractive plays, as Yang Che-Yi and Chen Hsin-An began to strike from the paint as well as the perimeter. And with Lin Chih-Chieh -- with his crisp inside play -- and Lee Hsueh-Lin - with his opportunistic baskets from the outside - rising to the occasion, Taipei grew in composure and scoring.

"I think our defense took some time to settle down," said Taipei coach, of Korean origin Chung Kwak-Suk. "But once they found the rhythm, we grew in confidence.

Korea, who take on Taipei in the needle encounter on Saturday, won in quite a contrast.

They began with superb confidence, which only improved, a fact reflected in the progress of the scores. Against an opponent, who only got stronger as the match progressed, Hong Kong could do nothing but play the second fiddle.